Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing widespread protest after he fired his defense minister, who opposed judicial reforms the PM was advocating for.
Netanyahu was aiming to make judicial changes to his nation’s courts, so they would have less power over his government. Traditionally, courts have reviewed legislation and have had final say, creating a slow, bureaucratic process for lawmakers. Netanyahu has been advocating for the courts to no longer have that power.
Former Prime Minister and political opponent Ehud Barak may very have well kicked off the widespread unrest Israel is seeing at this moment. He told CNN last week in response to Netanyahu’s changes, “Once a government, using the tools of democracy, in order to destroy it from within, and ends up acting in a blatantly illegitimate matter, it is not just the right of citizens, it is, in my judgment, the obligation of citizens to turn unfortunately toward civil disobedience.”
While discontent was growing, the catalyst was when Netanyahu’s own defense minister spoke out, and was quickly fired.
Bonfires can be seen all across the streets of Tel Aviv, and major highways in and out of the city have been blockaded.
President Biden maintained his support of Israel, but not really of Netanyahu himself saying, “Israeli leaders to find a compromise as soon as possible.” He could have added some weight supporting the PM’s efforts, and may have helped quell protests. Certainly a different tact than former President Trump would have taken.
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